As the Nasa Axiom Space contractor prepares for it The fourth private task To the International Space Station (ISS) in several years, the Space Agency opens more opportunities for commercial companies to travel to the tropical laboratory.
NASA on Wednesday He said She is looking for proposals for two new tasks for private astronauts to the space station, which aims to launch between May 2026 and MID-2027. These will be the fifth and sixth flights that NASA coordinates after the three complete missions of Axiom and AX-4, to be launched earlier from May. Applicants until May 30 to submit their proposals.
The move comes at a time when the space agency is increasingly activating private companies such as Spacex and Boeing to provide devices and services to Artemis Moon Landing Program, Commercial crew ISS alternate alternation tasks, the astronaut, and other projects.
“NASA is still committed to supporting this expansion by taking advantage of decades of our experiences to help obtain the necessary experience to train and manage crews, conduct research and develop future destinations,” said Dana Weigel, director of NASA in ISS, in a press statement. “The tasks of the private astronaut are a major part of this effort, as companies provide practical opportunities to improve their capabilities and build partnerships that constitute the future of the low Earth’s orbit.”
NASA in 2019 I opened iss To the tasks of the special spacecraft, allowing companies to conduct scientific and commercial activities on board for the first time. Space agency He says Flights are open to a low -Earth orbit and help them create cost estimates for future missions.
It also works as “Pathfinders”, she says, to show the demand for future commercial space stations. NASA and Spacex have deal To get rid of ISS at the end of the contract, after which the Space Agency expects to replace it with stations created from the private sector. Intuition Growth One of them with the agency’s support.
According to NASA, the proposals of the two new tasks should be mediate “by an American entity and the use of the American spacecraft” that meet the ISS requirements for the splash. The missions will be limited to four crew members and 14 days on the tropical laboratory. The proposals involved the use of robotic systems in the station or external activities – such as space passage – “will not be considered allowed”. The dates of launch depend on the ISS traffic and the orbit traffic.
I launched axiom The first special task To the space station in 2022. It lasted 17 days, and like subsequent tasks, flew with four crew. 2023 Ax-2 The mission sent the former NASA astronaut PEGGY Whitson and three clients paid in the residence for 9 days. Ax-3 Last year, he was distinguished by the first special astronaut across Europe. and Ax-4 It is expected to be launched with Whitson and private astronauts from India, Poland and Hungary in the next few weeks. Fifth mission can fly in December.
What makes matters more complicated, CEO of Spacex El MUSK, who is in February The name To rid ISS “as soon as possible.” Spacex is developing a Diorit vehicle specifically designed to carry out the task, which is expected to explode the space station while it is heading towards Earth.